The recent draft specifically targeted "depth" for our team. It was a typical Steeler draft, which involves shoring up our teams future, while so many other teams still have to draft for today, sticking their fingers in the leaky dike due to a lack of planning.

But with this draft and with the pickup of a few new (and old) faces, it becomes evident that some of the players who we watched last year, will not be wearing the black n' gold when this season starts. So the question is...Who do you see being squeezed out this year? Sure, its early...and camp performance will make a lot of these decisions easier. But as of now...who does the steeler nation think may be looking at their last days on the team?

Just off the top of my head I think Spaeth, Doggett,Paxson are gone. I haven't seen any OTAs and won't see any of training camp but I think Hills will be gone and the big surprise could be Sepulveda. This has to be a good training camp for him because he hasn't lived up to expectations yet. He wasn't exactly booming kicks last year.

LLT

06-01-2010, 05:49 AM

Nice picks...I think Bailey, Frazier, and Logan are gone and think that Tony Hills is on the bubble I think that Legursky is a player that alot of people are crossing of their list, but I think he makes the squad and is the backup to Pouncy NEXT year. The other surprise keeper on my list is UDFA Lindsey Witten

zulater

06-01-2010, 05:58 AM

Just off the top of my head I think Spaeth, Doggett,Paxson are gone. I haven't seen any OTAs and won't see any of training camp but I think Hills will be gone and the big surprise could be Sepulveda. This has to be a good training camp for him because he hasn't lived up to expectations yet. He wasn't exactly booming kicks last year.

No way they cut Sepulveda. True he hasn't lived up to expectations, but you need to consider last year was his first back off a knee surgery, it's often not until the following season that a player is back to full strength. Also even as he was last year, at worst he was mid pack relative to other punters around the league, need I remind you of Ernstine and Berger from a season before? :nono: And even if his overall average isn't what we hoped it would be he still is one of the better punters in the league at pinning the opposition inside their own 15.

All he needs to do is develop a bit more consistency and he'll be all that we need him to be, even if he never develops into the punter they expected him to become when they made the trade up. .

zulater

06-01-2010, 06:11 AM

My surprise cut, Randle El. I love the guy but I watched him last year and he just wasn't much. Guys his age usually don't rebound when they start to slide.

solardave

06-01-2010, 06:29 AM

Zulater,

need I remind you of Ernstine and Berger from a season before? And even if his overall average isn't what we hoped it would be he still is one of the better punters in the league at pinning the opposition inside their own 15.

Please don't. I started to mention last season being his first back after injury. What if
Graessele has a great camp? I know What IF? You're right. I can't even sell myself on him being cut. I'll shut up for now. For what it's worth I also think El will have a hard time making the team. You know he's not going to contribute much on STs with his diminished skills. He'll end up with the Browns.

zulater

06-01-2010, 06:38 AM

Solardave I hope you're right about Spaeth. He can't block good enough to be used the way they've been using him.

Texasteel

06-01-2010, 07:42 AM

Not that it would break my heart, but I don't see Spaeth leaving this year. I hope we hold onto McHugh.

With the talent at WR I think it will be tough for Chery, Grisham, and London to make the team.

I agree with Doggett, and also think Frazier might be in a fight for a job.

I see Hill as having to win his way back onto this time. I was a Hill fan, but I think he is gone.

There could be some dog fights for jobs this year. That means a hard hitting, and interesting TC. I envy all of you that will be there to see it.

LLT

06-01-2010, 07:48 AM

There could be some dog fights for jobs this year. That means a hard hitting, and interesting TC. I envy all of you that will be there to see it.

Hmmmmm.....roadtrip? (I mean c'mon...you live a life of luxery now!!!)

I would LOVE to go out there this year.

SteelerSal

06-01-2010, 08:03 AM

I'm with zulater...I think Randle El gets cut.....like to add that Grisham makes the team. IMO
With Brown, Chery and Sanders making noise in OTA's, possibly Battle might be gone also for a youth movement at WR....which suites me fine. Time to get a good chemistry with these four (along with Wallace) now...while Hines is still active, serving as a mentor to them.

Doggett only makes it if he turns out to be a sp. team demon because he is grossly undersized @ 210lbs to be a back-up LB.

The Logan experiment should come to an end.

BlastFurnace

06-01-2010, 09:27 AM

I still think it's too early even to determine this. One thing is for sure though, we better have depth at safety this season.

LLT

06-02-2010, 07:32 AM

I have to wonder....If some of the rookies end up being special teams standouts, does that push Battle off the team? I really believe that he was picked up for ST's alone. His WR skills are mediocre at best so he if he is gonna make his mark he better keep one eye on the up-and-comers!! Also have to wonder if Tomlin realized he had made a mistake when he originally cut Anthony Madison or if Madison is still on the bubble.

Texasteel

06-02-2010, 07:39 AM

I have to wonder....If some of the rookies end up being special teams standouts, does that push Battle off the team? I really believe that he was picked up for ST's alone. His WR skills are mediocre at best so he if he is gonna make his mark he better keep one eye on the up-and-comers!! Also have to wonder if Tomlin realized he had made a mistake when he originally cut Anthony Madison or if Madison is still on the bubble.

I don't think he will make that mistake again.

I am excited about the WRs, and you know I am more of an in the trenches guy. I am reading some very good thing about their play and attitude. It will be interesting to see who sticks, and if we can hide the rest someplace.

LLT

06-02-2010, 11:14 AM

I don't think he will make that mistake again.

I am excited about the WRs, and you know I am more of an in the trenches guy. I am reading some very good thing about their play and attitude. It will be interesting to see who sticks, and if we can hide the rest someplace.

Alot of people think that ARE will get cut, but I think Battle is gone before him. ARE should make the team ...if for no other reason then to have an additional Veteran presence. I think we see a starting three of Ward, Wallace, & Randle El. Sanders and Brown should fight over the #4 slot with the other being kept on the roster as a WR/RS OR possible BOTH kept on the roster as WR/RS.

Steely McSmash

06-02-2010, 11:39 AM

Alot of people think that ARE will get cut, but I think Battle is gone before him. ARE should make the team ...if for no other reason then to have an additional Veteran presence. I think we see a starting three of Ward, Wallace, & Randle El. Sanders and Brown should fight over the #4 slot with the other being kept on the roster as a WR/RS OR possible BOTH kept on the roster as WR/RS.

I tend to agree there. Battle is a prospective Sean Morey type of player. He could be replaced by Grisham who could be a younger version of the same type of player.

Steely McSmash

06-02-2010, 11:44 AM

Nice picks...I think Bailey, Frazier, and Logan are gone and think that Tony Hills is on the bubble I think that Legursky is a player that alot of people are crossing of their list, but I think he makes the squad and is the backup to Pouncy NEXT year. The other surprise keeper on my list is UDFA Lindsey Witten

If you think Frazier is gone, who is going to be the top backup at OLB? No way the Rooks are ready in week 1. Sliding Timmons over is a possibility but it's probably not the preferred move.

I agree on Legursky -- I think the coaches like the guy.

I'd love to see them keep McHugh and Johnson as backup TE, cutting Spaeth. They might even get something in trade for Spaeth. He does have better hands than most TE in the league. Maybe we can pick up another guard prospect to make it an even dozen?

LLT

06-02-2010, 12:09 PM

If you think Frazier is gone, who is going to be the top backup at OLB? No way the Rooks are ready in week 1. Sliding Timmons over is a possibility but it's probably not the preferred move.

I agree on Legursky -- I think the coaches like the guy.

I'd love to see them keep McHugh and Johnson as backup TE, cutting Spaeth. They might even get something in trade for Spaeth. He does have better hands than most TE in the league. Maybe we can pick up another guard prospect to make it an even dozen?

I think you touched on what I am thinking in regards to OLB. With the versatility of Timmons, you can keep the two rookies as backups behind Woodley and Harrison, using them sparingly to learn the position and to give the Vets a breather. IF one goes down....Timmons moves to OLB and Foote takes over at his ILB position. You would still have a starting rotation of Woodley/Harrison and Timmons on the outside with Farrior and Foote on the inside.

RushHard34

06-02-2010, 07:35 PM

My surprise cut, Randle El. I love the guy but I watched him last year and he just wasn't much. Guys his age usually don't rebound when they start to slide.

Wouldnt this cost us some big bucks? Someone chime in...

Chidi29

06-02-2010, 07:42 PM

This camp is going to be absolutely insane. It almost seems like every guy on the roster has a shot to make the team. Never seen anything like it in my short time following the team.

As for my picks:

Cut:
Essex
Urbik
Summers

Keep
Chris Scott
Kyle Jolly (Being a little hypocritical here based off what I wrote on another thread but oh well)
Justin Thornton

Chidi29

06-02-2010, 07:43 PM

Wouldnt this cost us some big bucks? Someone chime in...

Unlikely. It was a relatively small contract without a lot of guaranteed in it. $1.8 million, maybe? Nothing big.

MasterOfPuppets

06-02-2010, 08:29 PM

hey LLT...would you be a dear and break that roster down into position groups, so we can get a better look as to who's battling for what ?
thanks...:tea: